The Great War was the first truly global conflict, and it changed the course of world history. Empires fell, others were crippled and new contenders emerged. Economies crashed, and millions would be affected by the Depression that followed. Understanding The Great War is crucial to understanding the history of the twentieth century and the present day.
In this magnum opus, critically-acclaimed historian Peter Hart examines the conflict in every arena around the world, in a history that combines cutting edge scholarship with vivid and unfamiliar eyewitness accounts from kings and generals, and ordinary soldiers. He focuses in particular on explaining how technology and tactics developed during the conflict – and determined which battles were crucial to its outcome. Combatants from every corner of Earth joined the fray, but their voices are rarely heard together. This is a major history of the conflict whose 100th anniversary is fast approaching.
Editorial Reviews
Review
Gripping…I would highly recommend this book, not only for the honest appraisal of all the main characters and countries involved, but because it gives a voice to those who paid the ultimate price, often for no purpose whatsoever ― Morning Star
Praise for The Somme:
‘The most comprehensive and insightful account of the vast tragedy of the Somme that I have read
― Spectator
Praise for Gallipoli
‘Superb… a serious and important work on Gallipoli. It is researched in fine detail and written in Peter Hart’s increasingly excellent style
― Press Association
A valuable, timely and highly readable overview of the Great War on all major fronts — Professor Peter Simkins
Thought provoking, erudite, yet eminently readable and entertaining: Peter Hart is a historian and author at the peak of his powers. — Richard Van Emden
Immensely readable…Hart excels not only at making it intelligible but also at turning it into a gripping narrative, which includes extensive and moving quotations from soldiers and sailors who bore the consequences of their commanders’ decisions and faced the realities of combat…Hart’s book will contribute to a sea change in our understanding of the war during the years of the centenary. — John Horne ― Irish Times
Book Description
A masterful history of the First World War, covering all areas and explaining the technology and tactics that determined its course
About the Author
Peter Hart was the oral historian at the Imperial War Museum for nearly 40 years. His books include Footsloggers, At Close Range and The Last Battle.
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